In this course we will examine some fundamental problems in the philosophy of biology.

First, we will focus on the claims of evolutionary theory. We will consider in particular: the question of the status of evolutionary theory compared to other scientific theories; the issues raised by claims that genes determine the behavior of living organisms; the role of evolutionary explanations in offering a naturalistic account of goal-oriented/teleological phenomena.
We will then consider the two controversies about the levels at which natural selection operates (whether it is genes, individuals or groups) and about the definition of biological individuality. We will discuss in particular whether it is legitimate to speak of groups of living beings (including the totality of life on Earth) as superorganisms. We will then investigate whether natural selection can explain altruistic behavior and, more generally, whether evolutionary explanations can be applied to psychological, social and cultural facts about human beings (as claimed by sociobiology and evolutionary psychology). In the last part of the class, we will discuss different answers to the question of the definition of Life and consider the consequences of the research currently conducted in so-called Artificial Life (A-Life).

No background in biology is required. Students majoring in biology or related disciplines should contact the instructor about waiving the philosophy credits prerequisite.

 

Kim Sterelny & Paul E. Griffiths Sex and Death. An Introduction to Philosophy of Biology. University of Chicago Press	R B
Daniel Dennett, Darwin's Dangerous Idea, Simon and Schuster (check corrections made by Dennett after publication at http://ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/papers/errors.html)	R B
See Syllabus for extra required readings for both Undergraduates and Graduates

 

Elliott Sober. Philosophy of Biology, Westview Press	R
David Hull, Michael Ruse (eds). Philosophy of Biology, Oxford University Press (hereafter HR) http://www.netlibrary.com/urlapi.asp?action=summary&v=1&bookid=12424	O
Richard Dawkins: River Out of Eden	R
Keller and Lloyd (eds) Keywords in Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University Press	R

Readings marked with B are available at the UWM bookstore
Readings marked with O are available online
Readings marked with R are on reserve at the Golda Meir Library

ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING POLICY

 

Class participation (including quality of peer commentaries in the writing workshop)	15%
1 Test in class	15%
2 Short Papers (1200-1500 words each for Undergraduates, 1500-1800 each for Graduates)	20% each
Take-Home Final Exam for Undergraduates Final Paper (15 pages) for Graduates	30%

• Attendance to lectures and writing workshops is mandatory
  
• PAPERS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS BY THE DEADLINES indicated above. All late papers will be marked 1 grade down for each day or portion thereof that they are late, including weekends and holidays (for instance, if a paper is due on Tuesday at 2:05 p.m. and it is turned in on Wed at 5.00 p.m., it will be penalized two full grades). The penalty applies BOTH to the first and the final draft of each paper (e.g., if you turn both the first and the final draft one day late, your will be penalized 2 full grades).
  
• In order to pass this course you MUST COMPLETE ALL assignments. You must take the in-class tests, participate in the writing workshops, turn in both papers and take the final exam  

  Grading Guideline for papers and exams

  • A-range: The paper/answer adequately states and defends an argument, and answers the counterexamples and counter arguments suggested by the lectures and the readings; it shows knowledge of the topic, is well structured and well written.
  • B-range: The paper/answer contains an argument, it shows a satisfactory knowledge of the subject, but it does not account for all the counter examples and counter arguments suggested by the readings and the lectures. The main claims are not adequately supported.
  • C-range: The paper/answer states an argument or thesis, but its supporting premises are missing, incorrect, or not sufficiently specific. It is not well structured and it is poorly written.
  • D-range: The paper/answer makes no serious attempt to frame an argument or defend a thesis. It simply describes the readings or lectures, and includes several errors. It fails to address the question posed, it lacks structure, and it is poorly written.
  • F : The paper/answer completely ignores the questions set, or it contains very serious errors in reasoning, and shows no knowledge of the subject. The essay violates the requirements of academic integrity.

Please note that PLAGIARISM is a serious instance of Academic Misconduct

Plagiarism includes:

1. Directly quoting the words of others without using quotation marks or indented format to identify them; or,
2. Using sources of information (published or unpublished) without identifying them; or,
3. Paraphrasing materials or ideas of others without identifying the sources.

UWM Policy concerning Plagiarism is available at http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/OSL/DOS/conduct.html 

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WRITING WORKSHOP

In this class, you are given the opportunity to benefit from the comments of your peers on the first draft of your papers. You must submit the first draft of the papers a few days in advance of the writing workshop. Two other students will be assigned to you as commentators. You will meet with them at the writing workshop and discuss with them how to improve your draft. You then have some more days to revise your draft before submitting the final version for grading (for the exact deadlines, see the schedule above). You will also be commenting on the work of two other students. You will receive their drafts on the day when your draft is due. You will turn in your written comments at the writing workshop.

Please note that the active participation in the writing workshop is REQUIRED in order to pass the class. Detailed instructions about the writing workshop will be distributed during the term and made available on my homepage at http://www.uwm.edu/~ferrero/writing-workshop.htm.

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CLASS REFLECTOR: a class reflector (phil-bio@uwm.edu) has been set up up for general announcements. N.B. If you do not use your ePanther/alpha account regularly, it is your responsibility to make sure that your UWM mail is forwarded to your preferred email account (for instructions on UWM ePanther accounts go to http://www.uwm.edu/IMT/ePanther/).

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Academic Misconduct Policy: see http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/OSL/DOS/conduct.html

Drop/Audit Policy: Students will be allowed to drop the course up through the last day permitted by the Registrar. Likewise, students may elect to audit the course up through the last day permitted by the Registrar

Grievance and Appeals Policy: The Department of Philosophy has procedures for handling student grievance and grade-appeals. Information is available in the Department office, 612 Curtin Hall

Special Assistance: If you need special assistance, please contact me the first day of class

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Last Revised 21 April 2002